Key terms and definitions

Put into yarns to make them stronger. The number of turns is a deciding factor for the end-use of yarn. A lower number of turns gives a softer, weaker and more bulky yarn suitable for knitting. A higher number of turns give a much stronger yarn suitable for weaving. Made by mechanical methods of assembly, spinning and twisting staple fibres together. The assembly of continuous filaments; could be silk or manmade fibres. A single continuous filament. Twisting together two or more single yarns of the same type. Sometimes referred to as plied yarns or folded yarns. Multi component yarns. The core stays at the centre; other staple fibre yarns are spun around it to cover the core. A single twisting process combining 2, 3 or 4 single yarns into one. 2-ply or 3-ply yarn is achieved depending on the number of single yarns twisted together. Twisting yarns of the same or different types (or different fibre blends) improves the weight, strength of the yarns or achieves special effects e.g. fancy yarns. Twisting together two or more plied yarns.